Earlier in the fall semester of 2018, I went camping at Max Patch near Asheville, North Carolina. I met up with a friend from Summer Staff in Oregon, and 5th wheeled, as pictured below. 🙂
I didn’t expect anything from this experience, for I knew only one person on the camping trip, and I was testing out all my new gear. It took us quite a while to find the camping area and trail, due to the lack of cellular service and previous knowledge of the area.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. And the reason this trip is worth speaking about, is because it truly reminded me of the excitement I should be feeling for the world race.
As we set up camp, settled down, tucked away our belongings in our tents, I noticed an entire village of tents, pictured below.
Emerging from the tents came a crew of maybe 13-16 people. I was a bit overwhelmed. They joyfully leaped around the site and towards the beautiful rays of light bathing the mountains near our tents. As a photographer, I jump at any opportunity to provide people with memories. A natural pull inside of me drew me to the group, where I asked to take their photos as a unit.
As I was snapping away, I asked them how they knew each other. It’s always charming to see a group of people who love each other so well. They responded, “We just got back from the world race”.
I paused.
Ohhh, okay. I nonchalantly responded:
“Nice. I’m actually doing that in August of 2019. The 11 months trip.”
Energy erupted like an angry volcano, people buzzing and bouncing around me, sharing stories, giving encouragement, hyping me up. I applied for the world race during a time of uncertainty. I was absolutely sure of nothing. But this group of strangers enclosed me into a space I hadn’t gone yet..A place of true excitement for sacrifrice.
I wiggled on over to my campsite, finding Meg (Margaret), Kathleen, Bennett, and Dylan. I had just met the first three, and yet felt so comfortable around them. I shuffled around before sharing what I just experienced.
“Uh, so, the craziest thing just happened….”
Meg and Dylan lit up. Dylan had been an extremely supportive friend in the last few years, which I needed during the most tumultuous times I have ever seen. His encouragement never wavered. We cheered each other on occasionally and from afar. I remember when he met Marge. I was delighted to hear about how beautiful and fun and amazing she was.
Marge/Meg/Margaret (whatever) and I began to follow each others lives from afar as well, and I adored her cuteness and zest. I anticipated the day I would meet her. After dreaming and plotting and dreaming some more, we put the rubber to the road, and landed in the mountains.
There is something about her, she is magnetic, her smile is intimidatingly beautiful. Her hair – lets not go there, toooo beautiful. Meg will share anything if it means you feel understood and seen.
I knew I would love her and that expectation was surpassed. What I didn’t know, was that months later, I would get a FaceTime from a random number. Meg would answer. I would cry.
Turns out, Meg fundraised ~$1,000 for a mission trip. I had heard a bit of this story on the camping trip. She elaborated. the trip was cancelled, and Meg inquired about the money. She couldn’t get it back, but she could send it to another missionary.
I was that missionary.
What? me? um?
Praise God.
Hayden, my best friend, was in the room during the FaceTime and heard the news.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him celebrating. His jaw dropped, a smile growing into a deeper grin. Once the called ended, he hugged a tearful me, exclaiming, “this is really happening, you’re really doing this”. To have the people around me excited for my call to missions is really something I cannot fully grasp.
Grateful I am indeed. For the people who are cheering me on.
Senior year has been interesting. I started a new (and last) semester. I was attentive and excited for class. I was determined to do well. Everything started out great, but the pressure was on. In the depths of my discouragement, God threw me a bone. Well, God, through meg, threw me a bone.
I was buzzing with joy. So much emotion swelled in my veins that i couldn’t make out words. How does one say thank you?
a million times.
God is really funny and intentional. The people we meet are intentional. From the trip at Max Patch with the group of energetic world race alumni, to a call from a girl I had truly only met once, gifting me $1000, God proves to be faithful. Bringing light to any corner where darkness might be taking root.
So, Being present is still a big mantra of my life.
However, I am really THAT excited.
With that additional 1,000 donation, that leaves me with about $13,000 left to raise. If you haven’t donated and wish to bless my missions financially, there is a donate option at the top of the home page.
